Organisers of the first-ever Media Career Development Conference, the Media Career Development Network has presented awards of recognitions to corporate and Non-governmental organizations who have contributed to media development in Nigeria.
The awards were presented to the organizations on Thursday, at the Media Career Development Conference by the Executive Director and a Board Member of MCDN, Lekan Otufodunrin and Mrs Ugonma Cokey.
According to the ED of MCDN, Lekan Otufodunrin, the award is to recognize and commend the efforts of organizations that have, over the years, consistently organised trainings, hosted fellowships, and provided resources and support for journalists and media work in Nigeria.
The awardees include media NGOs like the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Africa Check, the Cable News Journalism Foundation, The International Centre for Investigative Reporting(ICIR), THe Journalism Clinic, Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals (AFYMP), African Women in Media (AWiN), Daily Trust Foundation, media supporting organizations like Media Rights Agenda (MRA), International Press Centre (IPC), Human Rights Journalists Network(HRJN), Development Communications (DevComms) and Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO).
Corporate organizations that have consistently supported media career professionals through their corporate social responsibility programs were also awarded. Some of them are MTN Nigeria, Polaris Bank PLC, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas(NLNG), Continental Re-insurance PLC, Nestle Nigeria, PwC Nigeria, Diamond Publications Limited and Dangote Industries.
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Other organizations awarded at the event include The Journalism Clinic, Media Mentors Academy, Media Mentors Network, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, ActionAid Nigeria, Journalists Against Aids (JAAIDS), Step-up for Women in Journalism Initiative, PAGED Initiative, Lightray Media Communications
MCDN explained that the award is important because there is a need to recognize the effort and impact of the contribution of other organisations to the development of media in the country. The organisation urged more contributions and collaboration to advance media in Nigeria further.
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